Acanthus flowers pictures information.

Geographical origin:
South eastern Europe, eastern Mediterranean areas, north eastern Italy and western Turkey. 

Acanthus are large plants of between 30 and 120 cm and are often used as border plants. Acanthus have spiky leaves and purple flowers.

 Typically flowers from late spring and throughout the summer. Although spines are the norm for this plant, they are too soft to harm those that touch them. One of my sources says they are vicious plants, but I'm thinking they meant the species A. spinosus var. spinosissimus, which has wicked ways with wicked spines.

Acanthus comes from the Greek word acanthos, meaning thorn. It's easy to figure out what its epithet spinosus means and you are correct if you thought spines.

The common name, bear's breeches, is somewhat puzzling; however, it was originally derived from brank-ursine, a Latin word for bear's claw. It appears that time and translations might have something to do with how it ended up as breeches instead of claw. Callimachos, fifth century Athens sculptor and architect, is credited for using an acanthus leaf as a design for Corinthian column capitals. The leaf design is still used today as a design element. It's no wonder that the in the Victorian language of flowers acanthus signified artistic skills and fine arts.

This is a bold, spectacular plant and not for those who want a dainty look. Planting its tropical form in with hostas and ferns makes a grand statement in the shade garden.

 Common Names: Bear's Breeches, Mountain thistle
Life Cycle: Hardy Perennial.
Height: 12 to 48 inches (30 to 120 cm).
Native: Europe, Western Asia.
USA: Zones 5 to 10.
Flowers: Late Spring and Summer.
Flower Details: Purple, pink, white. (Beware of spikes beneath flowers)
Foliage: Sharp spiky leaves. Variegated. Evergreen. Herbaceous.
Sow Outdoors: 1/4 inch (5mm). Following last frost or Autumn. Spacing 36 to 48 inches (90 to 120cm).
Sow Indoors: Use Peat pots. Germination time: 3 to 4 weeks. Temperature 50 to 60�F (10 to 15 �C). Sow in late winter, transplant outdoors following the last frost.
Requirements: Full Sunlight or light shade. Soil pH 6 to 7 for best results. Good drainage. Deep soils. Water during prolonged dry spells. Propagate by root cuttings in the autumn.

How to Grow Acanthus

It is best to plant Acanthus at a depth of 1/2 cm, 90 to 120 cm apart after the last frost of spring or in the autumn.Acanthus prefers light and can be grown in full sunlight or in partly shady conditions. The soil should be deep and well drained, ideally at a pH between 6 and 7. Acanthus plants are unlikely to survive in wet areas. They require 20 to 25 days for germination at a temperature of 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. If growing the plant indoors it should be sown in late winter to early spring in peat pots before transferring outside in the early spring.

Acanthus is a very easy plant to care for, it requires watering until flowering only when conditions become too dry.